Laverne Cox: Orange Is The New Black actor argues that we need more trans people in powerful positions
The actor believes it's easy to be myopic without diversity
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Laverne Cox has issued a powerful argument for greater diversity.
In an interview with The Guardian, Cox said that for diversity to truly work, that minority ethnic and LGBT people needed to be in positions of power.
Visibility, she argues, only takes people so far.
“We need more people of colour in positions of power at LGBT organisations, more trans people, different perspectives," The Orange Is The New Black told the paper.
"And we need more queer and LGBT perspectives in black organisations, so we are not getting myopic."
Cox has spoken openly of her tough start in life and how she was bullied at school for being effeminate. Born with a male body, the actor has become a spokesperson for transgender rights.
"In the first eight weeks of 2015, seven trans women were murdered, and they were all trans women of colour. They’re not being murdered just because they’re trans, but because they’re at the intersection of identities, of race, class, homelessness," she told The Guardian.
"These issues have to be addressed if we want to end violence against trans folk."
Cox recently wrote a moving blog post congratulating Caitlyn Jenner on her transition.
She wrote on Tumblr: "Many have commented on how gorgeous Caitlyn looks in her photos, how she is 'slaying for the Gods'. I must echo these comments in the vernacular, 'Yasss Gawd! Werk Caitlyn! Get it!'
"Yes, Caitlyn looks amazing and is beautiful but what I think is most beautiful about her is her heart and soul, the ways she has allowed the world into her vulnerabilities. The love and devotion she has for her family and that they have for her. Her courage to move past denial into her truth so publicly. These things are beyond beautiful to me.
"Most trans folks don’t have the privileges Caitlyn and I have now have. It is those trans folks we must continue to lift up, get them access to healthcare, jobs, housing, safe streets, safe schools and homes for our young people. We must lift up the stories of those most at risk, statistically trans people of color who are poor and working class."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments